Halloween and your dog! Some pet owners are fortunate and have dogs that love Halloween as much as their owners. However, most dogs probably show some stress and anxiety during this time of ghosts and goblins.
The doorbell is ringing a lot, people are coming in and going out, the noise level may be quite high - all of this adds to your dog's stress.
Here are a few suggestions of what to do with your dog during Halloween in order to reduce the anxiety level, of you and your dog
1. If your dog is familiar with being put in a crate, that may be the best place for him. Most dogs associate their crate as a place of security and safety. Yes, they still may bark or whine, but the jumping, spinning, wild actions will be contained. Plus, you will know that your dog is safe.
2. Another option is to remove your dog from the house. How many times did you take your young child for a car ride to soothe him? Well, you may find that taking your dog for a car ride while all the ghosts and goblins are ringing the doorbell may be the best thing for both of you.
3. Take your treats outside. If you live in a climate where you can be outside, then close up your house, put your dog where he usually goes when you are gone, and take your treats you are handing out o
utside. This will avoid the ringing of the doorbell and the constant in and out that comes from trick-or-treaters.
4. Some dogs may enjoy all of this activity, but you need to make that sure your dog is in a safe place so that he cannot escape every time you open the door. Also, you want to make sure your dog is safe from eating any of that candy. Remember, chocolate can be deadly for a dog.
5. Take your dog trick-or-treating with you. Yes, if you have a dog that is fairly well-behaved on a leash and somewhat sociable, take him with you. Better yet, put a costume on him and he will get lots of attention! Again, just make sure that he only gets dog treats - not people treats.
As always, remember that your dog is an animal. He has no idea why all of this is happening. He does not understand that it will end and peace and quite will return. He just does not get it! So as his owner, it is up to you to make it an anxiety free Halloween for your dog.
Next, discover other techniques for reducing your dog's anxiety any time of the year at http://doganxiety.org/%20/dog-anxiety-barking-visitors.
And make sure you dog is ready for Halloween, too! http://doganxiety.org/%20/halloween-is-coming-is-your-dog-ready
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